JP2006333914A - Sandwich device and management server - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sandwich device permitting easy and smooth supply of a commodity between a plurality of players in a game parlor and easy and smooth execution of the settlement on the purchase of the commodity. <P>SOLUTION: The sandwich device can communicate with a game machine and another sandwich device set in the game parlor. The sandwich device stores stored ball data obtained by the game machine, inputs commodity purchase data in response to a message preparation signal, and stores the commodity purchase data. The sandwich device prepares layout image data of the game parlor based on the data on the stand number of the game machine, and displays the layout image data. Then, the sandwich device determines the address to transmit the stored commodity purchase data in response to the input by the player on the displayed layout image data, and transmits the commodity purchase data to the other sandwich device corresponding to the address. The account is settled by subtracting the stored ball data equivalent to the price of the commodity from the stored ball data stored in a stored ball recording means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sand device and a management server used in a game arcade, for example, a sand device capable of delivering mail to other sand devices by a sand device installed in a gaming machine in the game arcade. And a management server corresponding thereto.

  In recent years, a device has been proposed to prevent the player from being bored in the game hall. This is intended to allow the player to enjoy in addition to the contents produced at the gaming machine, according to other preferences than the gaming machine.

  For example, an apparatus for installing a liquid crystal television on a pachinko machine and allowing a player to watch the television is known (Patent Document 1).

  Furthermore, a method is disclosed in which a player can send content data acquired from a computer to an address designated via a gaming machine (Patent Document 2).

On the other hand, since the basic specifications are the popularization of mobile phones and the addition of email transmission / reception functions to such mobile phones, many people are accustomed to communicating intentions by email rather than real voice conversations. Among them, it is becoming prominent.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-290068 JP 2004-16510 A

  However, the methods of Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not solve the following problems. In general, when visiting a gaming machine in which a plurality of gaming machines such as a pachinko machine or a pachislot machine are installed, since the gaming machine form has a one-to-one relationship with the gaming machine, it is often entered alone. If a plurality of players having a relationship such as friends enter the amusement hall, each seats on a favorite seat. In this case, there is a case where it is desired to provide a product such as a drink to an acquainted player who is seated in a separate seat. For example, a player who has won a jackpot with a gaming machine becomes angry and wants other players to drink a drink or a cigarette. Another example is a case in which a product such as a drink is given to another player who wants to call out to attract attention.

  In such a case, the player who wants to provide the product must suspend the game, leave the seat, purchase the product, walk around the amusement hall, look for the person he wants to hand over, and hand the product. . Furthermore, a player who wants to provide a product must take out the wallet and purchase the product. As a result, such an operation is troublesome, and the present situation is that provision of goods in the game hall is not performed between players. For example, even if you want to give a drink to a friend, the gaming machine continues to be in a special gaming state (such as a jackpot if it is a pachinko machine or a big bonus if it is a slot machine) There is a problem that standing up and taking a drink is difficult. Therefore, after the special game is over, the player goes to the friend to talk about the special game, or continues the game without any communication. However, by sharing communication about the provision of products while playing games with friends in some form, the game interests can be shared with friends beyond the traditional one-on-one game forms. The present inventor has thought that it is possible to reinforce the player's competitive spirit, and as a result, the added value can be higher than before.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a sand device capable of smoothly and easily executing provision of merchandise among a plurality of players in a game arcade and settlement related to purchase of the merchandise, and a management server adapted thereto. It is to be.

  Therefore, the present invention provides the following sand device and a management server applied to the sand device.

  In order to solve such a problem, a first invention according to the present invention is a sand device that can communicate with a gaming machine and other sand devices installed in a game hall, and the storage ball acquired by the gaming machine Storage ball recording means for storing data (for example, player data recording unit 166), panel input means (for example, panel input unit 113) for inputting product purchase data in response to a message creation signal, and the product purchase Product purchase data recording means (for example, product purchase data recording unit 164) for storing data, and layout image data creation means (for example, layout image data for the gaming machine based on data relating to the machine number of the gaming machine) , Control unit 190), liquid crystal display means (for example, liquid crystal display unit 112) for displaying the layout image data, and the displayed layout. In response to the player's input to the image data, destination determination means (for example, the control unit 190) that determines a destination to which the stored product purchase data is transmitted, and the product on the other sand device corresponding to the destination Product purchase data transmission means (for example, communication unit 191) for transmitting purchase data, and settlement by subtracting the stored ball data corresponding to the price of the product from the stored ball data stored in the stored ball recording means. Provided is a sand apparatus provided with settlement calculation processing means (for example, control unit 190) to perform.

  Therefore, according to the first invention, the sand device includes panel input means for allowing the player to input data relating to the provision of the product (product purchase data), and the destination for transmitting the product purchase data can be easily given to the player. In order to input, layout image creation means for creating layout image data in the game arcade using data relating to the machine number of the gaming machine is provided. The sand apparatus includes product purchase data transmission means for transmitting product purchase data to the destination input by the player. With these configurations, a player can smoothly provide products to other players without leaving the seat from the gaming machine. In addition, since the sand device includes liquid crystal display means for displaying layout image data, the player can make the player visually recognize the layout image of the game hall and input the destination player. It is possible to select a destination that provides products easily while imagining the place.

  Furthermore, according to the sand apparatus according to the first invention, when a plurality of players enter the game hall, when the player moves to another game machine and plays a game, the player sits in a separate seat. In contrast, it is possible to provide goods. Therefore, according to this sand apparatus, it is possible for a player to provide a product to other players regardless of the gaming state of the gaming machine while playing a game, and to enjoy the game with friends. Can be shared. Furthermore, with this sand device, it is possible to reinforce competitiveness among players by providing commodities. In addition, according to the first invention, the sand apparatus in the game hall includes storage ball recording means for storing data (reserved ball data) relating to the storage balls of the corresponding gaming machine, and the player purchases the product. When it is broken, a settlement calculation processing means for settlement of the purchased product using the stored ball data is provided. Therefore, the player does not need to take out his / her wallet and purchase the product, and can make a payment for purchasing the product using the stored balls acquired by the gaming machine.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the sand apparatus according to the first aspect described above, camera means (for example, a facial camera 111) for photographing a player operating the gaming machine at a predetermined time interval; Image data recording means (for example, an image recording unit 163) for storing the photographed image of the player as player image data, the stored player image data of the predetermined time and the latest player image data, Are compared with each other, facial recognition means (for example, control unit 190) for performing facial recognition of the player, and layout image update means (for example, control unit 190) for updating the layout image data from the result of the facial recognition. And a sanding device comprising:

  Therefore, according to the second aspect, the player is photographed by the camera means at a predetermined time interval, and the photographed image data is stored as the player image data. Then, by comparing the player image data of a predetermined time before the stored player image data with the latest player image data (the closest time when the product purchase data is transmitted), the player's facial data Recognize. Then, the layout image displayed on the liquid crystal display means is updated based on the recognized facial recognition result. As a result, even when a player who operates a predetermined gaming machine moves to another gaming machine, the sand device updates the layout image so that the product purchase data is accurately transmitted to the other sand device. It is possible. For example, a player who is sitting nearby and playing a game at the beginning of entering the game hall, but is not satisfied with the performance of the game machine, moves to another game machine and plays a game in order to obtain a large number of profits. In this case, a player who provides a product such as a drink may be unclear on which platform the player who is to provide the product is sitting. Even in such a case, it is possible to provide a drink to a player who wants to accurately provide a product such as a drink.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-described sand apparatus according to the first and second aspects, card reading means for reading a card storing player data of the player (for example, card control) Section 180), player data recording means for storing the player data, and player data transmitting means (for example, communication section 191) for transmitting the player data to the management server, the layout image The data creation means provides a sand device that creates layout image data of the game hall based on player data received from the management server.

  Therefore, according to the third invention, the sand device includes the card reading means for reading the player data stored in the card, and the player data read here is transmitted to the management server. Since individual player data is transmitted to the management server, information on players who operate individual gaming machines is stored. The sand device receives the player data from the management server, and the layout image data creating means creates the layout image data and displays it. As a result, the player can specify the player to be transmitted based on the layout image data when transmitting the product purchase data. Furthermore, since the player can usually store the player data in a card used for exchanging with a game medium, the player can easily recognize the player.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-described sand apparatus according to the first to third aspects, camera means for photographing a QR code storing the player data of the player (for example, facial A camera 111) and QR code reading means (for example, a control unit 190) for reading player data from the photographed QR code and storing the read player data in the player data recording means; The means provides a sand device for creating layout image data of the game hall based on the player data.

  Therefore, according to the fourth invention, the sand device includes the QR code reading means for reading the player data recorded in the QR code, and the player data read here is transmitted to the management server. Since individual player data is transmitted to the management server, information on players who operate individual gaming machines is recorded. The sand device receives the player data from the management server, and the layout image data creating means creates the layout image data and displays it. As a result, the player can specify the player to be transmitted based on the layout image data when transmitting the product purchase data. Furthermore, since the player can usually store the player data in a card used for exchanging with a game medium, the player can easily recognize the player.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a management server capable of communicating with the sand apparatus according to the first to fourth aspects of the invention, wherein the storage ball data and the product purchase data are received from the sand apparatus. In response to receiving the product purchase data from the sand device, receiving means (for example, the communication unit 330), recording means for storing the stored ball data and the product purchase data (for example, the recording unit 320). And a display command data transmission means (for example, communication unit 330) for transmitting display command data for displaying the product data of the product purchase data to a clerk terminal connected to be communicable. provide.

  Therefore, according to the fifth aspect, the management server receives the product purchase data from the sand device and transmits the product purchase data to the clerk terminal. Therefore, according to this management server, in addition to being able to inform the store clerk that product purchase occurs in the amusement hall and it is necessary to hand over the merchandise in the amusement hall to the recipient of the merchandise, From the data stored in the management server, the game shop clerk can grasp and manage the product purchase in real time.

  According to the present invention, a sand apparatus capable of smoothly and easily executing provision of merchandise among a plurality of players in a game arcade and settlement related to purchase of the merchandise, and a management server adapted thereto Can be provided.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the game hall 500 includes game machines 20a to 20c in which a player plays a game and sand devices 10a to 10c. The gaming machine 20a is provided with a sand device 10a corresponding to the gaming machine 20a. The game room 500 is provided with a plurality of sets of the gaming machine 20a and the sand device 10a.

  The gaming machines 20a to 20c are devices that provide games to players, and may be gaming machines such as pachinko machines, pachislot machines, slot machine machines, card game machines, and the like. These gaming machines 20a-c provide the player with game media that allow the player to play games. The game medium is provided to the player when the gaming machines 20a to 20c enter a predetermined gaming state. A gaming machine number is assigned to each gaming machine 20a-c, and the gaming machine is specified by the machine number.

  The sand device 10a (sand device 10b, c) is a device that provides game media to the gaming machine 20a (gaming machine 20b, c). That is, the sand device 10a has a function of providing game media to the gaming machine 20a. When the sand device 10a provides game media, banknotes, cards, or the like may be inserted, and these may be converted into game media to be provided to the gaming machine.

  Further, the sand device 10a (sand device 10b, c) displays a message to a player who operates the gaming machine 20a (gaming machine 20b, c), creates a message, and sends / receives mail from the created message. Provide the function to do. That is, the player who operates the gaming machine 20a operates the liquid crystal monitor 110a of the sand device 10a to create a mail message and transmits the mail to the other sand devices 10b and 10c. The other sand devices 10b and 10c that have received the mail display the received mail on the liquid crystal monitors 110b and c.

  In order to realize transmission / reception of mail within the amusement hall 500, the drink providing system 1 preferably has the following network configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the drink providing system 1, one or more gaming machines 20a to 20c, one or more sand devices 10a to 10c, and a management server 30 are connected to a communication line network 60 and can communicate with each other. Configured. In addition to this, the clerk terminal 40 may be connected to the communication line network 60 so as to be communicable with the gaming machines 20a to 20c, the sand devices 10a to 10c, and the management server 30. In the store clerk terminal 40, the data stored in the management server 30 is appropriately displayed in response to a request from the store clerk in the game hall 500.

  The management server 30 includes a control unit 310 that controls data stored in the management server 30 and received data, a recording unit 320 that stores game number data, player data, and the like, and a communication line network 60. And a communication unit 330 that realizes communication by being connected. The control unit 310 is a central processing unit that performs data processing and calculation, and may be a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The recording unit 320 stores data related to the player who plays in the game hall 500. Here, the data relating to the player (hereinafter referred to as “player data”) includes information that can identify the player, as will be described later. For example, the player data may include information on the player input from the player via the sand device 10. Further, the player data may include player image data photographed by the facial camera 111. Further, the player data may be recorded on a card (card) exchanged with a game medium, and the sand device 10 may read the player data. In this case, the player data read by the sand device 10 is recorded in the recording unit 320 of the management server 30 via the communication line network 60. In addition, the recording unit 320 may include information related to the machine number of the gaming machine used by the player (hereinafter, “machine number data”). Here, the machine number is one number assigned to one gaming machine 20a-c. As will be described later, the player data or the machine number data stored in the recording unit 320 is used as a mail transmission destination.

  The sand apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 3, the external structure of the sand apparatus 10 is shown. The sand device 10 includes a card insertion slot 181 into which a card for receiving a game medium is inserted, a card data display unit 120 that displays data stored in the card, and a player receives the game medium. A lending operation unit 140 for performing an operation, a game medium supply unit 150 to which a game medium is supplied, and a liquid crystal monitor 110. The mode which recognizes this bill and provides a player with a game medium may be sufficient as the sand apparatus 10 inserting a bill.

  Note that the sand device 10 may be configured such that the game medium is directly supplied to the gaming machine 20 without including the game medium supply unit 150. Further, the sand device 10 may be in a mode in which no game medium is provided. That is, the sand device 10 may not include the card data display unit 120, the card insertion slot 181, the lending operation unit 140, and the game medium supply unit 150.

  The liquid crystal monitor 110 displays data, images, mails, messages, etc., and is made visible to the player, a liquid crystal display unit 112, a panel input unit 113 that receives input of key operations from the player, a liquid crystal display, etc. And a liquid crystal operation unit 114 that adjusts brightness, contrast, and the like. The liquid crystal monitor 110 can adjust the angle of the liquid crystal monitor surface in the vertical direction, and may be configured to be adjustable so that the liquid crystal monitor surface and the surface of the sand device 10 are parallel.

  The panel input unit 113 may be a liquid crystal touch panel type input device. That is, the panel input unit 113 may be a liquid crystal touch panel on which a transparent panel for sensing coordinates is placed on the surface of the liquid crystal monitor and data is input by pressing the panel.

  FIG. 4 shows a functional block diagram of the sand device 10. The sand device 10 includes a communication unit 191 that is connected to the communication line network 60 to realize communication, and a control unit 190 that controls data stored in the sand device 10. The sand device 10 includes a card insertion slot 181 into which a card is inserted, a card control unit 180 that reads data from the inserted card, a card data display unit 120 that displays data stored in the card, and a control unit 190. And a recording unit 160 for storing data to be controlled. The card control unit 180 reads stored ball data relating to a stored ball to be exchanged with a game medium and the above-described player data.

  In the sand apparatus 10, display of data is controlled by a display control unit 117 provided in the liquid crystal monitor 110, and the controlled data is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 112. The liquid crystal monitor 110 includes the panel input unit 113 described above. The input control unit 115 receives a signal input from the panel input unit 113 and transmits the signal to the control unit 190. Further, the liquid crystal monitor 110 is provided with a facial camera 111 that captures an image. The facial camera 111 is a camera that captures images (moving images and still images), and captures image data in a file format such as an AVI (Audio Video Interleaved) format, a JPEG format, or a TIFF format. The shooting timing may be always, or may be a mode of shooting at a predetermined time interval.

  An image captured by the facial camera 111 is sent to the image control unit 116, which converts the image data into image data and stores the image data in the image recording unit 163. For example, the facial camera 111 captures a still image at a predetermined timing, the image control unit 116 converts the image into image data, and stores the image data in the image recording unit 163. Here, an image captured at a predetermined timing may be individually recorded in the image recording unit 163 every time and not overwritten. In the following description, among the image data, in particular, an image obtained by photographing a player is referred to as player image data.

  Further, the sand device 10 controls a card (a prepaid card or the like) for providing a game medium as described above. That is, the sand device 10 includes a card insertion slot 181 into which a card for receiving the above-described game medium is inserted, a card control unit 180 for controlling the inserted card, and card data for displaying data of the card. And a display unit 120. The game medium control unit 170 calculates game media to be provided to the player from the card data read from the card control unit 180, and provides the game medium to the player via the game medium supply unit 150.

  The recording unit 160 of the sand device 10 includes a message recording unit 161 that stores a message transmitted from the sand device 10 and a pattern input image recording unit 162 that iconsize the message to be transmitted. Further, the sand device 10 includes a product purchase data recording unit 164 that stores product purchase data that is data relating to the purchase of products, and a stored ball data recording unit 165 that stores storage balls of gaming machines corresponding to the sand device 10. And a player data recording unit 166 for storing player data. The recording unit 160 may be a hard disk or the like that stores data controlled by the control unit 190, or may be a main memory or the like that temporarily stores data.

  The sand device 10a (sand device 10b, c) may communicate with the gaming machine 20a (game machine 20b, c) via the communication unit 191, but the sand device 10a (sanding device 10b, c) 10a and gaming machine 20a may be directly connected by a serial cable or the like, and communication may be performed via this cable.

  When sending a mail message as a mail, the control device of the sand device 10 may read the application program that can send the mail to send the message data as a mail. As an e-mail address used in these application programs, the control unit 190 may use machine number data. That is, as an embodiment when the machine number is used as the mail address, the part of “ABC” which is the user name part of “ABC@xxx.co.jp” which is a normal e-mail address is the machine number of the destination. It may be. That is, the destination machine number is extracted from the machine number data stored in the management server 30, and a mail address having this machine number as the user name is stored in the management server 30. The sand device 10 may appropriately read out the mail address from the management server 30 when the mail is created. Note that the mode in which the machine number data is used as the mail address is applicable even when the sand device designates the destination of the mail message sender by the player data, as will be described later. In this case, a mail address may be stored as player data.

  Next, specific operations executed by the drink providing system 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  The control unit 190 of the sand device 10 receives a signal for creating a message (step S01). That is, the panel input unit 113 provided in the sand device 10 receives a key input from the player, and the input control unit 115 controls this signal and transmits it to the control unit 190. The control unit 190 receives a signal for creating a mail, and performs a mail sender selection screen display process (step S02). As shown in FIG. 7, the sand device 10 acquires the machine number data from the management server 30 and displays the mail sender selection screen. The sand device 10 transmits a request for sender data to the management server 30 (step S10). The management server 30 receives this request (step S11), and transmits the machine number data stored in the recording unit 320 to the sand device 10 (step S12). The control unit 190 of the sand apparatus 10 displays a mail sender selection screen on the liquid crystal display unit 112 based on the received machine number data (step S14).

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the mail sender selection screen. The mail sender selection screen is composed of layout image data 65 of the gaming machines 20 in the game hall 500. The layout image data 65 is image data in which each gaming machine 62 is associated with the machine number data, and the location of each gaming machine 62 in the game hall is indicated by an icon. That is, the recording unit 320 of the management server 30 stores machine number data corresponding to each gaming machine 20. The sand device 10 receives the machine number data from the management server 30, creates the layout image data 65 by associating the machine number corresponding to the place corresponding to the gaming machine, and the liquid crystal display unit 112 as the mail sender selection screen. To display. Here, the layout image data 65 may be recorded in the management server 30 and received by the sand device 10 and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 112. In this way, the sand device 10 prompts the player to select the destination of the mail sender by displaying the player sending the mail with the icon indicated by the machine number of the gaming machine 20.

  That is, the sand device 10 prompts the player to select a mail sender by displaying a mail sender selection screen on the liquid crystal display unit 112. When the player selects a destination to which a mail message is to be sent via the panel input unit 113 (step S03), the destination is determined, and the control unit 190 performs a mail creation screen display process (step S04). By repeating this loop until the player selects a destination to be a mail sender via the panel input unit 113, the player waits for selection input from the player (step S03).

  When the player selects a mail sender via the panel input unit 113, the panel input unit 113 is a liquid crystal touch panel, and the player presses the icon of the gaming machine 20 on which the machine number is displayed. The player (destination) may be input. The sand device 10 displays a mail creation screen when a mail sender is selected. The control unit 190 of the sand device 10 reads the message data 92 and 94 stored in the message recording unit 161 and displays the message data 92 and 94 on the liquid crystal display unit 112.

  8 and 9 show an example of the mail creation screen 90 by the mail creation screen display process. As shown in FIG. 8, the mail creation screen 90 includes a window 91 and selected message data 93. That is, when the player selects the machine number “10” via the panel input unit 113, “Send message to Mr. 10” is displayed in the window 91, and the selected message data 92 is displayed. . Through the panel input unit 113, the player selects message data having contents such as “Large hit!”, “I'm surely changed”, “I don't want to stop eating”, or “I don't want to eat”.

  As a modification of the mail creation screen 90 shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 9 shows an example in which the mail creation screen 70 is composed of pattern input images 71 to 76. As shown in FIG. 9, the mail creation screen 70 is configured by pattern input images 71 to 76 in which message data is iconified. The pattern input images 71 to 76 are icons that are easy to understand intuitively so that the contents of the message data can be grasped. The pattern input images 71 to 76 are stored in the pattern input image recording unit 162, and the control unit 190 reads the pattern input images 71 to 76 to configure the mail creation screen 70.

  Since the pattern input image 71 is message data related to “big hit”, when this pattern input image 71 is selected by the player, message data related to “big hit” is created as message data. The actual content of the message data may be, for example, message data such as “It has been a big hit!” Or “It may be a big hit!”.

  The pattern input images 72 and 73 are message data related to “probability change” and “reach”, respectively. Therefore, when the pattern input images 72 and 73 are selected by the player, the message data includes “probability change” and “reach”. "Is created. The actual content of the message data may be, for example, message data such as “Probably changed!”, “Probably changed!”, “Reach came!”, Or “Reach was NG”. As the other pattern input image 71, the pattern input image 74 may be message data with the content “Let's go home”, and the pattern input image 75 may be message data with the content “Let's go to tea!” Good. These messages may be text messages as message data, or may be images expressing the message like pattern input images.

  As described above, after determining the message to be transmitted by the sender of the message data, the sand device 10 transmits the message data to the selected destination in step S02 described above. In this case, when the message data is related to the drink order, the drink order process described below is performed.

  First, when message data is created by the mail creation screen display process, it is determined whether the content of the message data is a drink order (step S05). For example, this is a case where the player selects the pattern input image 75 described above. At this time, the control unit 190 performs a drink order process (step S06). Drink order processing means that a person who provides a drink (hereinafter referred to as “provider”) and a person who is provided (hereinafter referred to as “provided person”) send and receive data related to drink purchase (product purchase data), When the provider receives a drink, it is a process of making a payment for the drink product from the provider's storage ball.

  Note that, when message data is created by the mail creation screen display process, if the content of the message data is not a drink order, the message data may be transmitted as appropriate.

  Next, the drink order process will be described with reference to FIG. An e-mail message relating to the player providing a drink is created, and this e-mail message is sent to the drink recipient as product purchase data. Then, the recipient's sand device 10 receives the product purchase data and displays it on the liquid crystal display unit 112 as a drink provision screen (step S21).

  FIG. 11 is an example of a drink provision screen displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 112 of the recipient's sand apparatus 10. That is, the recipient's sand apparatus 10 determines that the product purchase is related to a drink from the product purchase data received from the provider, and displays a drink selection screen. As shown in FIG. 11, the drink selection screen may have a screen configuration that allows selection of the type of drink and the refusal to provide the drink.

  The drink selection by the recipient may be performed via the input of the panel input unit 113 when the panel input unit 113 is a liquid crystal touch panel. When a drink is selected by the recipient (step S22), data relating to the selection of the drink (hereinafter “selection data”) is transmitted to the sand device 10 of the provider. The provider's sand apparatus 10 receives the selection data and displays on the liquid crystal display unit 112 that the drink has been selected (step S23).

  As shown in FIG. 12, the control unit 190 displays data regarding the type of drink selected by the provider and the stored ball corresponding to the price of the drink on the liquid crystal display unit 112. In the example of FIG. 12, the provider has selected “Ice coffee”, and there are 50 storage balls corresponding to this, and the provider is notified that “50” is subtracted from the current storage ball. , “X” indicates the mode of selection. That is, the provider's sand apparatus 10 indicates to the provider that 50 shots will be subtracted from his / her storage ball, and if he agrees with this, he selects “◯” and “×” To the provider to select.

  When the provider selects “O” via the panel input unit 113, the sand apparatus 10 determines that the provider has accepted the selection of the drink, and performs the stored ball settlement process (steps S24 and S25). ). If the provider selects “X” via the panel input unit 113, the sand apparatus 10 determines that the provider has refused to select a drink, and ends the process.

  Next, the stored ball settlement process will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 190 of the sand apparatus 10 performs a stored ball settlement process when the purchase of a product such as a drink is determined as described above. The control unit 190 reads the stored ball data stored in the stored ball data recording unit 165 (step S30). Then, the control unit 190 determines whether it is possible to subtract the storage ball corresponding to the price of the product from the storage ball data (step S31). When there are more current stored balls than the stored balls to be subtracted, the control unit 190 stores the stored ball data obtained by subtracting the stored balls in the stored ball data recording unit 165 (steps S31 and S32).

  When the current stored ball is smaller than the stored ball to be subtracted, the control unit 190 notifies the provider that the stored ball is small via the liquid crystal display unit 112 (step S33). In this case, since there are few stored balls, in order to accumulate | store stored ball data, you may alert | report a card insertion to a provider.

  After the stored ball is subtracted and stored in the stored ball data recording unit 165 and the drink is determined to be provided, the provider's sand apparatus 10 has data regarding the drink order in the management server 30 (hereinafter “drink order”). Data "). The management server 30 receives the drink order data and transmits command data (display command data) for displaying information related to the drink order to the clerk terminal 40. Upon receiving the display command data, the clerk terminal 40 displays information on the drink order as shown in FIG.

  The information regarding the drink order may be information that there was a drink order, the type of drink, and the number information of the sand apparatus 10 of the recipient. Based on the information regarding the drink order displayed on the terminal 40 for the store clerk, the store clerk of the game hall 500 can provide the drink to the player corresponding to the designated number of the drink.

  In the above description, based on the machine number data of the gaming machine 20, a mode in which the sender of the mail message (drink provider) determines the destination of the sender of the mail message (drink recipient) has been described. . Hereinafter, a mode in which layout image data displayed on the sand device 10 is updated as needed by player data read from a storage unit such as a card will be described.

  A card exchangeable with a game medium includes a player data recording unit for storing player data. That is, in this aspect, player data, which is data related to the player, is usually stored in a card that the player carries for exchange with a game medium. In this case, the processing of the sand apparatus 10 will be described below based on FIG.

  The player inserts a card storing player data into the card insertion slot 181. The sand device 10 receives this card (step S40), and the card control unit 180 reads player data from the inserted card (step S41). As described above, the player data may include data that can identify the player, and may include image data captured by the facial camera 111 as described below. Next, the sand device 10 transmits the read player data to the management server 30 (step S42). The management server 30 receives the player data and stores the player data in the recording unit 320, thereby registering the player data in the player data table (step S43).

  The player data table is a table in which individual player data is associated with a machine number. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the player data with the number “1” is associated with the machine number “23”. The management server 30 creates a player data table created based on the player data, and the sand device 10 receives this player data table, creates layout image data, and displays it on the liquid crystal display unit 112 as appropriate. To do.

  The management server 30 stores and manages the player data received from the sand device 10 in the recording unit 320 in association with the machine number as a player data table. In the example of FIG. 16, the player data includes a card ID number 81, a nickname 82 that is information on the card owner, a group 83 to which the owner belongs, and the number of stored balls that is the current number of stored balls. 84 and player image data 85 of this owner. Here, the ID number may be a number determined first for each card. The nickname 82 may be the player's real name.

  The player data is appropriately input via the panel input unit 113 of the sand device 10 (steps S43, S44, S45). For example, when the player inserts a card, the control unit 190 may display a wizard for inputting player data and prompt the player to input from the panel input unit 113. In player registration (step S43), registration is performed by allowing the player to input the nickname or group described above. This player data may be stored in the card data recording unit, the player data recording unit 166 of the sand device 10, and the recording unit 320 of the management server 30. When the player finishes the game, the sand device 10 discharges the card (step S46).

  That is, the management server 30 always receives player data when a card is received from a player by the processing of step S42 of the sand device 10. Therefore, the management server 30 always stores a player data table composed of the latest player data. That is, when the sand device 10 receives the message creation signal, the sand device 10 receives the latest player data table from the management server 30 and displays the layout of the latest game hall (who sits in which place). It is possible to create data and display it. As a result, a player who wants to provide a product can provide the product by accurately selecting the provider based on the layout image data without misidentifying the other party who provides the product.

  A mode in which groups are used for player data stored in the sand apparatus 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. A group is information for handling a plurality of players as a group. FIG. 17 is an example of a mail sender selection screen corresponding to FIG. Similarly to FIG. 7, the mail sender selection screen is composed of layout image data 200 of the gaming machines 20 in the game hall 500. The layout image data 200 may be image data that emphasizes a player's location 202 to which message data is transmitted and a gaming machine location 201 corresponding to the same group as the player's group. Therefore, the player who sends the message data (provider who drinks) can visually identify this layout image data and can easily specify the destination of the player who sends the message (where drinks are provided). is there. A player inputs a destination via the panel input unit 113, and the destination is determined. The sand device 10 transmits product purchase data to the destination.

  As described above, apart from the group, as shown in FIG. 18, the nickname of the player data may be displayed at the locations 211, 212, and 213 of each gaming machine in the layout image data. In this case, if the player desires, it may be possible to select “non-display” 210 so that the nickname is not displayed.

  In the above aspect, the player data is stored in the card. However, a portable information device such as a mobile phone may store the player data. As shown in FIG. 19, the player displays a QR (Quick Response) code 221 on the display unit of the portable information device 220 storing the player data, and causes the facial camera 111 of the sand device 10 to read the code. The sand device 10 may store the player data in the player data recording unit 166 of the sand device 10 and transmit the player data to the management server 30.

  In the above-described embodiment, the player is identified as a player (a player who receives a drink) to which message data is transmitted based on the player data stored in the card or the portable information device. It is desirable that the layout image data be updated even when the sand device 10 does not read these player data by a card or the like. That is, even if the player moves to another gaming machine, the moved player does not need to take out the card or QR code, and layout image data indicating that the player has moved may be displayed. The drink providing system 1 that realizes such a problem will be described below.

  FIG. 20 shows a flow that the facial camera 111, the image control unit 116, and the image recording unit 163 provided in the liquid crystal monitor 110 perform during normal operation. The facial camera 111 shoots the player at a predetermined timing (step S50). Here, the predetermined timing may be a timing at which the player operates the gaming machine, or may be a timing at which an operation for acquiring a gaming medium is performed on the sand device 10. That is, the timing at which a game medium is inserted into the gaming machine 20 or the timing at which a card is inserted into the sand device 10 may be used.

  The image control unit 116 converts the photographed image into player image data, and stores the converted player image data in the image recording unit 163 (step S51). Next, the control unit 190 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed (step S52). That is, the control unit 190 operates as a timer function that determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed by reading a program having a timer function.

  Here, the predetermined time is a parameter that can be set by an administrator (store clerk or the like) who operates the management server 30, and may be an appropriate time such as every 5 minutes or every 10 minutes. . In addition, the predetermined time may be an elapsed time after shooting, or may be an elapsed time measured after the gaming machine 20 is not operated.

  When the control unit 190 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed, the facial camera 111 again takes a picture of the player (step S50). The player image data shot after the predetermined time has elapsed is stored in the image recording unit 163 without overwriting the previously shot player image data (step S51). Here, only two of the player image data before the predetermined time has elapsed (hereinafter “past data”) and the player image data after the predetermined time has elapsed (hereinafter “current data”) are stored in the image recording unit 163. It may be an embodiment.

  Next, the control unit 190 compares the player image data and recognizes whether a player who is different from the predetermined time is playing (step S60). That is, the control unit 190 compares the player image data (past data) stored before a predetermined time with the latest player image data (current data) after the predetermined time has elapsed, and determines whether the players match. To do.

  In the comparison of specific player image data, face recognition technology (facial recognition technology) may be applied. In other words, facial recognition technology is a technology that recognizes and identifies individuals based on the shape of a human face, and the position, size, and length of a human face or face part (eyes, nose, mouth, etc.). Judging whether the same person is the same. FIG. 22 shows an example of a player image taken by the facial camera 111. Here, it will be described that when the player is photographed, the sand apparatus 10 is positioned on the side of the player and the image is photographed. However, the direction in which the player is photographed does not limit the present invention. The aspect using the image which image | photographed the player from the front may be sufficient.

As shown in FIG. 22, for example, as the face portion of the player in the image taken by the facial camera 111, the nose height (t ₁ ), the distance from the nose to the eyes (t ₂ ), the width of the eyes ( e ₁ ), the vertical width of the eye (e ₂ ), and the vertical width of the ear (e ₃ ) are measured. The control unit 190 may recognize the nose, eyes, and ears by storing these basic shapes in advance and recognizing them by comparison with the sample image. In addition, the nose can be recognized from the difference in color from the background image, regardless of whether it is a still image or a movie, and the eye can be recognized as a place that changes by blinking if it is a movie. You may recognize it.

  And the control part 190 acquires these measured values by present data and past data, compares them, and judges a match of a player. The control unit 190 may determine the player by combining these measurement values, or may determine the player using only one measurement value.

  Further, the image control unit 116 converts the data obtained by analyzing the unevenness of the human face three-dimensionally as player image data, and the control unit 190 determines the player's image data from the player image data analyzed three-dimensionally. A technique for comparing the unevenness of the face or the face portion to determine the match of the players may be used. Further, the player image data may be a technique for comparing moving images. That is, the speed of the “blink” of the player's eyes may be extracted from the past data and the current data, and the control unit 190 may compare them to determine the match of the players.

  When the control unit 190 recognizes that a different player is playing a game, the sand device 10 transmits the latest player image data before a predetermined time elapses to the management server 30. The management server 30 receives the player image data, and searches the player data table stored in the recording unit 320 for presence / absence of player data corresponding to the received player image data (step S63). . When player data corresponding to the player image data is searched (step S64), the player data table stored in the management server 30 is updated (step S65).

  Here, updating the player data table means extracting data corresponding to the machine number of the sand device 10 from the player data table and replacing the searched player data. Accordingly, the player data table is updated by updating the player data of the sand apparatus 10 recognized as a different player playing a game. As a result, the control unit 190 receives the updated player data table. The control unit 190 receives the player data table and creates layout image data.

  As a result, the layout image data is updated by using the updated player data table, and when the sender of the message data transmits a message, the destination of the message data is based on the updated layout image data. Message data can be transmitted (providing a drink) to an appropriate recipient.

  As an actual aspect, when a player who has moved a location causes the player device to read the player data with a card or QR code and the player data stored in the management server 30 is updated, a message is displayed. A data sender (provider of drinks) can send message data (provide drinks) to an intended player without any particular problem. However, if a player who has moved from place to place does not insert a card or recognize a QR code, the facial recognition described above is effective.

  That is, the management server 30 stores the player data in the player data recording unit 166 regardless of whether or not a card is inserted, and stores the latest player data and the player image data read before moving. The layout image data can be updated by reading the player data recognized as the same. Since the updated layout image is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 112 of the sender (provider) sand device 10, the sender can accurately select the recipient of the mail message intended by the sender. is there. As a result, the sender can send an email message regarding the drink to the intended player, and can provide the player with the drink accurately.

  As an embodiment of the present invention, a product purchased or provided in a game arcade has been described as a drink (beverage), but the type of product does not limit the scope of application of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention may be applied to various modes such as foods such as cigarettes and snacks, or prizes.

  The drink providing function for realizing such an embodiment can be realized by a program for executing on a computer or a server. Examples of the storage medium for this program include an optical storage medium, a tape medium, and a semiconductor memory. Further, a storage device such as a hard disk or a RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet may be used as a storage medium, and the program may be provided via the network.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, it only showed the specific example and does not specifically limit this invention. Further, the effects described in the embodiments of the present invention only list the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described in the embodiments of the present invention.

It is an image figure of the game hall 500 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the drink provision system 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an external appearance block diagram of the sand apparatus 10 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of sand device 10 concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the main flow which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of the mail sender selection screen display process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart figure regarding the drink order process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart figure regarding the stored ball settlement process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart figure regarding registration of the player data which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining player data concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the display of the nickname which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure regarding the portable information terminal which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows imaging | photography of the player of the sand apparatus 10 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart figure explaining the case where the facial camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention is used. It is a figure explaining the case where the facial camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention is used.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Drink provision system 10 Sand machine 20 Game machine 30 Management server 40 Terminal for clerk 60 Communication line network 65 Layout image data 70 Mail creation screen 71 Pattern input image 72 Pattern input image 74 Pattern input image 75 Pattern input image 81 ID number 82 Nickname 83 group 85 player image data 90 mail creation screen 91 window 92 message data 93 message data 110 liquid crystal monitor 111 facial camera 112 liquid crystal display unit 113 panel input unit 114 liquid crystal operation unit 115 input control unit 116 image control unit 117 display control unit 120 Card data display unit 140 Lending operation unit 150 Game medium supply unit 160 Recording unit 161 Message recording unit 162 Pattern input image recording unit 163 Image recording unit 164 Data recording unit 165 pooled ball data recording unit 166 player data recording unit 170 game medium control unit 180 card control unit 181 card insertion port 190 control unit 191 communication unit 200 layout image data 220 portable information device 310 control unit 320 recording unit 330 Communication Department 500 Amusement Park

Claims (5)

A sand device capable of communicating with a gaming machine and other sand devices installed in a game hall,
Storage ball recording means for storing storage ball data acquired by the gaming machine;
Panel input means for inputting product purchase data in response to the message creation signal;
Product purchase data recording means for storing the product purchase data;
Layout image data creating means for creating layout image data of the game hall based on data relating to the machine number of the gaming machine;
Liquid crystal display means for displaying the layout image data;
In response to the player's input for the displayed layout image data, destination determination means for determining a destination to which the stored product purchase data is transmitted;
Product purchase data transmitting means for transmitting the product purchase data to another sand device corresponding to the destination;
Settlement operation processing means for performing settlement by subtracting the stored ball data corresponding to the price of the product from the stored ball data stored in the stored ball recording means;
Sand device equipped with. Camera means for photographing a player who operates the gaming machine at intervals of a predetermined time;
Image data recording means for storing the photographed image of the player as player image data;
Facial recognition means for performing facial recognition of the player by comparing the stored player image data before the predetermined time with the latest player image data;
From the facial recognition result, layout image update means for updating the layout image data;
The sanding device according to claim 1, comprising: Card reading means for reading a card storing the player data of the player;
Player data recording means for storing the player data;
Player data transmission means for transmitting the player data to the management server;
With
The sanding device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the layout image data creation means creates layout image data of the game hall based on player data received from the management server. Camera means for photographing a QR code storing the player data of the player;
QR code reading means for reading player data from the photographed QR code and storing the read player data in the player data recording means,
The sanding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the layout image data creating means creates layout image data of the game hall based on the player data. Receiving means for receiving the storage ball data and the product purchase data from the sand device;
Recording means for storing the storage ball data and the product purchase data;
In response to receiving the product purchase data from the sand device, display command data transmitting means for transmitting display command data for displaying the product data of the product purchase data to a clerk terminal connected to be communicable When,
A management server capable of communicating with the sand device according to claim 1, comprising:

Images